Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Why The Amish Do Not Have Church Houses or Church Buildings

Often we, the owners of the Millersburg, Ohio, Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast are asked why the Amish do not have church houses or church buildings. The Amish meet for church, every other Sunday, conducting services in their barns, houses, and out buildings; such as a woodworking shop that has been prepared, and set with backless benches. Houses are immaculately cleaned, walls and windows washed, lawns manicured. Overall, homesteads are impeccably staged for the important day(s). They usually host church two Sundays, after which, the church bench wagon is taken to the next host home. An average Amish church in Holmes County, Ohio, may consist of about 125 people. Many newer Amish homes and outbuildings are built with church accommodations in mind; new houses often featuring large open floor plans or walk-out basements.

Amish Church in Home - Amish Bench Wagon

As with many traditions, the Amish, when asked about why they don't have meeting houses, generally reply, "Because we've always done it that way." I believe a look at their historic experience is helpful and may indicate where this practice began.

An excellent reference for Anabaptist history is the book, Smith's Story of the Mennonites, by C. Henry Smith. The Anabaptists who followed Menno Simons, (born 1496), preceded the Amish, who follow the teachings of Jacob Ammon, (born February 12, 1644). The Amish broke from the Anabaptists, who were followers of Menno Simons. Menno Simon's followers were not called Mennonites until they came to America.

Because, from the early 1500's, Anabaptism was a capital crime; great persecution prevailed for those who refused infant baptism in the Catholic church. Dissenters and those who provided food and shelter to Anabaptists were imprisoned, burned at the stake, beheaded, or sometimes drowned. Anabaptists met secretly to worship. Today, many Amish and Mennonites make pilgrimages to a Swiss Taufer (Anabaptist) Meeting Cave where ancestors held secret church services.

Swiss Mennonite Cave - Schurch Tour

Most Amish homes have a copy of the Martyr's Mirror, a history, record book of anabaptists and early Christians who were martyred for the sake of Christ, during the reformation.. This copy was purchased at a local Amish home auction.

1814 Copy of Martyr's Mirror

In 1544, under the rule of Countess Anna (Netherlands), Mennonites were tolerated but still had to meet in secret. When the time came that the authorities allowed church buildings, they had to be erected along back streets, out of view and obscure, without a tower or bell. It is interesting, that on one occasion the Reformed Clergy of Norden complained to the magistrate that "the impudent Mennonites go to church to the sound of our own bells."

Today, as in years past, many American conservative Mennonite Churches are severely plain, devoid of adornment; no steeple and no stained windows. Shown below is a Beachy Amish Church in Fryburg, south of Mt. Hope. The far left door is the ladies entrance and the far right door is the mens entrance. After the service, anyone may use the double doors in the middle.

Beachy Amish Church

The question of whether to allow a meetinghouse created considerable tension among Amish communities; the debate extending from Ohio to Pennsylvania and Indiana. A division in 1893 resulted in the largest segment of Amish transitioning to the use of meeting houses. Most of those "Meetinghouse Amish" soon assimmiliated into the general conference Mennonites. It was at this time that the term of "Old Order Amish" came to be, referring to the Amish who did not accept meeting houses.

2 comments:

SEEKER FRIENDLY PREACHING BY STEVE FINNELLThere are more than a few who believe more people would be converted to the truth about Jesus and His gospel plan of salvation if preachers were nicer and more understanding in preaching the truth.

Is seeker friendly preaching the answer to evangelism?Is the gospel of the Bible too narrow and restrictive to win the world to Christ?Should the gospel be expanded to include, all men, no matter what doctrinal position they embrace?Is God's truth too offensive for that world to accept?

If Jesus and the apostles would have been more seeker friendly preachers would the world have already been converted to Christianity?

THE GOSPEL AS SEEKER FRIENDLY ADVOCATES SEE IT!

THE JESUS VERSION.John 8:24 'Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."(NASB)

THE SEEKER FRIENDLY VERSION.John 8:24 'Therefore I judge no man. It is optional to believe or not believe if I am the Son of God." (Seeker Friendly Handbook)

THE JESUS VERSION.John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (NASB)

THE SEEKER FRIENDLY VERSION.John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am one of the ways, and I have partial truth, and there are many different roads that lead to the Father." (Seeker Friendly Handbook)

THE JESUS VERSION.John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.(NASB)

THE SEEKER FRIENDLY VERSION.John 8:44 I will not make any judgment concerning any ones genealogy. Who is truthful is strictly a matter of opinion. (Seeker Friendly Handbook)

THE APOSTLE PETER VERSION.Acts 2:36-37 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--- this Jesus whom you crucified" 37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?"(NASB)

THE SEEKER FRIENDLY VERSION.Acts 2:36-37 Peter said, "Jesus loves you this I know." 37 Then they were pierced to the heart and all recited the "Sinner's Prayer."(Seeker Friendly Handbook)

THE APOSTLE PAUL'S VERSION.1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived ; neither fornicators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.(NASB)

THE SEEKER FRIENDLY VERSION.1 Corinthians 6:9-10 I just preach Jesus, I am not the judge of sin nor sinners. Only God will decide who will enter the kingdom of God. (Seeker Friendly Handbook)

THE APOSTLE PAUL'S VERSION.Galatians 1:6-9 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;.......9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received he is to be accursed! (NASB)Galatians 1:6-9......8 Let God's cures fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other way to be saved than the one we told you about......(The Living Bible---Paraphrased)

THE SEEKER FRIENDLY VERSION.Galatians 1:6-9 Let every denomination decide in their heart how to become saved and write it in their creed book. God will not judge those in error. (Seeker Friendly Handbook).

Wow, that church cave was terrific! I missed having a vacation in our hometown in the philippines. It was about 6 years ago. Barn houses are always a great place to get out of the hassles and buzzles in the streets. Today, back to normal. Toxicated with loads of work but after the tiresome day, there is no place I can hide the stress. Good thing I transfered to singapore where property developers are more versatile with condos and apartments.